SSO conductor Schwarz breaks his leg while skiing

Seattle Symphony conductor and music director Gerard Schwarz broke his left leg and ankle last Thursday in a skiing accident. He faces surgery later this week, the SSO reports, with full recovery expected. In fact, the athletic Schwarz was conducting a recording session this morning, seated. He returned from the slopes Friday, thinking it was just a strain, but discovered the breaks at the doctor. He's now mastering a new art--crutches. Schwarz has been told he'll have to stay off the left leg for eight weeks after surgery, but he'll keep a full conducting schedule, with aid of a seat while waving the baton. He'll be on stage for his next scheduled programs at Benaroya, the annual New Year's performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Meanwhile, well-wishers might want to suspend use of the familiar encouraging phrase among musicians, "Break a leg!"